Value (4.0)
The Nikon Coolpix S51c is one of the least expensive wireless-enabled digital cameras on the market. It originally retailed for $329 when it was announced in August 2007, but Nikon bumped the price down to $299 in time for the holiday shopping season. The S51c has a much more attractive price tag when compared to the wireless Sony G1, which retails for $599. However, the wireless feature shouldn’t be the main draw: imaging capabilities should have something to do with the value. When those are considered, the Nikon S51c loses value. It performs horribly in almost every way (see Testing/Performance), making the $299 tag look overpriced.
Comparisons
Nikon Coolpix S51 – This digital camera is almost exactly the same as the S51c with the exception of the Wi-Fi. The S51 has 8.1 megapixels, an internal 3x optical zoom lens, image stabilization, and a 3-inch LCD screen. It has the same palette of exposure modes and features and comes with the same Pictmotion video slide shows. It retails for $279.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G1 – The G1 is Sony’s first wireless digital camera and can transfer images to Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) products, including computers and other cameras. The 6-megapixel camera has a similar compact body with a 3x internal lens. It also has a sliding cover to protect the glass on the front. On the back of the camera is a 3.5-inch LCD screen with an incredible 921,000 pixels. The Sony G1 comes with 2 GB of internal memory – enough to hold 600 full-resolution pictures – and an album organization system that allows users to search images by keyword, face, color, or composition. The new technology comes at a high price though: $599.
Canon PowerShot SD430 – This 5-megapixel digital camera was announced in October 2005 but is still on the product lineup two years later. It retails for $499 and comes with Wi-Fi technology. It has a 3x optical zoom lens with a wider 35-105mm range and a wider f/2.8 aperture. Its shutter speeds are geared for longer exposures with the 15-1/1500 of a second range, although its ISO range is relatively scant at 50-400. The Canon SD430 adds an optical viewfinder, but has a small 2-inch LCD screen with 118,000 pixels. It has a healthy set of Scene modes and plenty of color effects, along with a faster 2.1 fps Burst mode. It has a similar skinny 150-shot battery.
Kodak EasyShare V610 – The V610 uses Bluetooth wireless technology that can receive and send files from other Bluetooth-enabled devices within 40 feet. There isn’t much setup and transfer speeds are faster. This EasyShare has a slim 0.9-inch body and two internal lenses that add up to 10x optical zoom. The 6.1-megapixel digital camera has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with the same 230,000-pixel resolution. It sells for $349.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 – This compact digital camera isn’t as flat but still has pocketable measurements of 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.5 inches. It doesn’t have wireless transfer, but has higher quality components and takes much better pictures. The 7.2-megapixel TZ3 has a 10x optical zoom lens with a wider 28mm angle and an optical image stabilization system. It also has a 3-inch LCD screen with 230,000 pixels. Despite advertising less resolution, the TZ3’s 7.2 megapixels are more effective than the 8.1 megapixels on the Nikon S51c. The Panasonic TZ3 also has very accurate colors, less noise, more speed, and better dynamic range and low light performance. It retails for $349 and sells for about $300 online.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – This slim digital camera can fit in a pocket and is easy to use: that’s all this audience could ask for.
Budget Consumers – This crowd won’t like the $299 price tag on the S51c, but may check out the less expensive Nikon S51.
Gadget Freaks – The S51c will satisfy their craving to sync digital cameras with smartphones, laptops, and computers.
Manual Control Freaks – The S51c is all about style and not so much about manual controls, so these users won’t even give this camera a thought.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – Simply put: not a chance.
